Dorms are small so you’d likely be sleeping on a twin or bunk bed to utilize as much space as possible. Whichever college you go to, it shouldn’t surprise you that the desk wouldn’t be that big. Knowing its dimensions would let you figure out how many supplies and personal items you can bring.
A large desk isn’t important. It’s all about how you make use of it. We’ve discussed this and much more below.
How Big Are the Desks?
Expect the table to be around 30 inches in height, 42 inches in width and 20 inches in depth.
Due to how small dorm rooms are, you need to make large furniture pieces multi-functional. It’s common for students to convert their beds into couches. Use your desk not only as a place to study, but as a place to eat and converse.
The desk along with other furniture in the room would be provided. All colleges make it a rule that the furniture cannot be removed.
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How Do You Keep an Organized Desk?
Considering that you won’t be getting a lot of space, you’ll need to be smart with how much storage you use. Having an organized desk would be ideal. Here’s how you do it:
No Sticky Notes
Let’s face it, sticky notes are so 2010. The internet is your friend – why don’t you use project management software? You’ll be able to note all the important things you have to do. You’ll get notifications when you need to start working on the tasks.
Sticky notes all over the desk would not only take up space, but they can also look messy.
Go Digital
Whenever there is a digital alternative for something, go for it. Having all of your notes on Microsoft Word instead of in a book would result in less space being wasted. You’d be saving money as you wouldn’t be going through pens and books frequently either.
Bins
When moving in, you’ve probably brought things over in bins and storage containers. Place the containers in your desk drawers. They will help you store a variety of material.
Bins that are clear would work the best. You’ll be able to see where things are without moving them around as much.
Laptop Stand
Hunching over the desk will not be comfortable. Your posture wouldn’t be affected as much when using a laptop stand.
As your laptop would be elevated, there would be more space on your desk. You could place more items on it, or you could use the additional space to move your arm freely.
Your Wall
Keep your desk as clutter-free as possible by utilizing wall organizers and dry-erase boards. Not only could you place important documents and to-do lists on them, but also use the organizers as a space to store pictures of home.
Shelves
Before you panic, we’re not talking about nailing shelves to the wall. No, there are shelves you can add on to tables. They would act as mini cupboards. These are assets, because once you leave the dorm, you can sell them. Freshman are bound the be interested.
The best shelves would take a lot of vertical and not much horizontal space.
Power Outlets
The worst thing to deal with on a small table is cables all over the place. Have one spot to charge everything. There are electronics that would have multiple charging ports, like lamps.
Lamps with several USB ports would be great, as you can get additional light to study better. To help prevent the wires from tangling, you can Velcro them down.
How Do You Decorate Your Desk Space?
Now that you know how to make the desk more organized, why not learn how to make it a more comfortable space to work in?
The first place to start is your chair. No matter how much work has to be done, you’ll have a hard time doing anything if your chair is hurting your back. Instead of buying a new one, you can buy a good cushion.
Have a big project due? Working for hours can leave you unmotivated. Different scents could stimulate your brain to help you keep going. What’s great is that these bottles are small. You might be wondering, why not buy scented candles? Well, dorms have rules against fire hazards.
Speaking of what would keep you motivated, fancy stationary would do the trick too. Something that also helps would be plants. Dorms can feel stuffy, so a plant would liven the space. Have a small potted one by you as you work.
Place something personal on the table. The desk is where you’d be spending a lot of time, so having items that would remind you of home would help whenever you’re feeling down.
Can You Remove the Desk?
You’ll sign a contract that would state that the furniture in the room can’t be removed. Not happy with the desk? You’ll have to pay a fee if you get rid of it. If you don’t, your transcripts may be withheld. You’re not allowed to swap the furniture with anything from someone else’s room or the study area either.
You can’t get rid of the furniture pieces because they’re university property, and also because they’re probably made from flame-retardant material. Whatever is in the room has gone through safety protocols as a result – the furniture you’re bringing in might not be.
Without getting rid of the desk, you could bring the one you want. However, dorm rooms are small. There’s no way you’ll find room for the two of them.
To summarize, the desks in dorm rooms are small. This shouldn’t be a surprise since the spaces are quite tiny. You can expect the table to be around 30 inches in height, 42 inches in width, and 20 inches in depth. If you’re not a fan of how the table in the room looks, you sadly won’t be able to get rid of it. It’s university property, so you’ll have to make do.
